First, have faith in Jesus.

Then repent.

Then be baptized.

Then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

And finally, endure to the end!

“For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Nephi 31:17)

While my brain loves linear thinking and easy checklists, I’ve been wondering lately…

What if these five steps are actually one giant interconnected circle?

I mean, I still need to exercise FAITH in Jesus Christ every day, and I certainly have room to grow.

I have a lot of REPENTING to do, and I know I will continue to need to change every single day.

Although we aren’t BAPTIZED over and over, we do partake of the sacrament each week, where we get to renew those covenants repeatedly.

I’m always working on improving how I keep the SPIRIT with me and recognize promptings, because it actually takes a lot of effort.

And I’m constantly working on joyfully ENDURING!

Even though all these steps are interconnected and repetitive, I’m still working on improving the quality each time I need faith, repent, renew my covenants, and draw closer to the Spirit.

I get a little better each time, I hope.

“Living the doctrine of Christ can produce the most powerful virtuous cycle, creating spiritual momentum in our lives.” – Russell M. Nelson

The doctrine of Christ reinforces itself with each step beautifully.

And it is the best way to help us become even more Christlike!

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The cycle of the doctrine of Christ first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

Initial faith in Christ? Check ⁣
Repentance? Check ⁣
Baptism? Check ⁣
Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? Check ⁣
Endure to the end? IN PROGRESS

⁣But what if these five iconic steps outlined in 2 Nephi 31 are actually one giant circle? ⁣

I’m exercising faith in Christ every single day. Real faith moves me to act, and since my actions are not perfect, my true faith is not perfect yet. Faith? IN PROGRESS

⁣And since that faith is not perfect yet, I’ve got a lot of repenting to do. I’m getting better at enjoying this process, and seeing it as moving me forward. Repentance? IN PROGRESS

⁣Baptism? This is where that “linear” mindset comes from, because my baptism happened 20 years ago. But what’s our response for when people talk about that desire to be “baptized again” so they can be wiped clean again? THE SACRAMENT. I get to be “baptized” each week! I am making promises AGAIN to Heavenly Father, and He is telling me what blessings are available to me again. Weekly baptism? IN PROGRESS

⁣Gift of the Holy Ghost? Well sure, I received this gift initially 20 years ago, too. But am I always living in a manner that invites the Spirit to be with me constantly? Nope. So I get better and better at keeping the Spirit with me and recognizing his promptings. Constant companionship of Holy Ghost? IN PROGRESS

⁣This seems kind of obvious to me now. All of these elements of the Doctrine of Christ are what move me through “enduring to the end”. ⁣

But hopefully, I’m getting better each time I cycle through. ⁣

My faith is a little easier to find. I’m quicker to repent. I renew my covenants with greater intent. I’m even closer to the Spirit. ⁣

And I keep that giant circle rolling up higher and higher up the hill of endurance. ⁣

⁣After all, this is truly our purpose here. To use the Doctrine of Christ to become progressively more and more Christlike.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Much more than a checklist first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.